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3 Top Non-Surgical Procedures

by Dr. Stanley Poulos

Two of my cousins are personal trainers, one of my closest friends is a yoga instructor, another works for a national diet program, and there’s the acquaintance who manages her aunt’s organic skin care line.

I even know a woman who dominates in crossfit competitions when she’s not running her own gym.

Needless to say, I’m surrounded by individuals who care about the physical appearance of their bodies.

All of those individuals have managed to combine their jobs and income with their passion for fitness or youthfulness. But not everyone is able to have that opportunity – or wants that opportunity!

I love my job and would never want to give that up, even though my job can sometimes require me sitting for an entire day in front of a computer or skipping 6am spin class to get at least a few hours of sleep that week (Then forgetting to put my eye cream on because a deadline gets the best of me).

But I am still no stranger to wanting a flat stomach that I can proudly bare on the beach or feel confident in a tight cocktail dress.

I’m not alone in that either. Liposuction became the most frequently performed surgical procedure in 2014 with a 16% increase and more than one billion was spent on the procedure nationwide, according to American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).

That’s an astounding statistic, but what about those of us who don’t want surgery OR want to leave more mystery surrounding our new, improved appearance?

The recovery time for liposuction is not extreme, but it is about two weeks of skipped work and social events, which is just enough time for speculation (and for me to start stressing about everything I need to catch up on!).

So are there non-surgical options that will leave everyone guessing at exactly how you achieved your look?

Is there a way to get the results you crave without having to dedicate your entire life to working out. Even then, it can be difficult to lose weight or tone up for some, no matter how fit they truly are.

Can I tighten and tone without having to sell my soul to the gym?

Thankfully, the answer is yes, and some of them are amazing procedures that have only come on the scene in the last couple of years.

1. CoolSculpting® Procedure

This is a an innovative, non-surgical way to reduce fat. The technology used by the CoolSculpting® device is called Cryolipolysis®, which was cleared by the FDA in 2010.

The process has been extensively studied and developed by Harvard researchers to freeze and destroy unwanted fat cells while leaving the nearby tissue untouched. Treatment with the CoolSculpting® device doesn’t require an incision, needles, or anesthesia.

To go more in-depth, Cryolipolysis® employs controlled cooling to selectively damage fat cells (the name “CoolSculpting“ makes sense now right?).

Fat cells are uniquely sensitive to cold and crystallize at a warmer temperature than water in surrounding tissues. Consequently, cryolipolysis® can freeze fat cells without inducing damage to overlying skin and surrounding muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.

The exposure to cold induces apoptosis in the fat cells and an inflammatory response in the treated tissue. Over the course of two to four months, the damaged fat cells are cleared by the body, resulting in gradual, permanent fat reduction in the treated region.

Pros:

The result is a noticeable fat reduction of about 25% per treatment (although it can take up to eight weeks total for final results)..

It is a liposuction alternative without surgical downtime and without risks inherent to anesthesia.

Recovery time and activity restrictions are minimal

Cons:

Is only available at certain practices at the moment. Dermatologists, leading plastic surgeons and leading aesthetic specialists that offer CoolSculpting can be found at www.coolsculpting.com. If you’re located in Sonoma or Marin County, California, PSSpecialists is licensed to consult and perform.

Loose skin can limit the results BUT the treatment can be combined with Venus Legacy (a non-invasive way to tighten skin). Venus (radiofrequency heat) + Coolsculpting (fat freezing) – It’s the cool way to get hot!

2. Laser Skin Resurfacing

Here’s a procedure for those who want to have a more youthful looking face.

An interesting fact is that “face lift” is one of the top searched procedures, according to ASPS. Even more interesting is that “face lift” is the most searched for term in California.

That could be due to the excessive time spent in sunny weather on the West Coast. Sun damage is a leading cause for wrinkles.

With many individuals looking up face lift procedures, more people will know the ins and outs of what the surgery entails.

That type of attention and scrutiny surrounding surgery might not be your ideal. The thought of a rejuvenated face definitely is appealing, however, so what to do?

Try a non invasive procedure to reduce the effects of the sun, aging, and some facial skin disorders.

During laser skin resurfacing treatments, a laser is used to dissolve the molecular bonds of the damaged skin cells layer by layer until a smoother, more uniform skin appearance is achieved.

The procedure may also be referred to as laser skin rejuvenation because of its anti-aging benefits, or laser peel because the damaged layers of skin are peeled away.

Pros:

Removes damaged outer layers of skin and stimulates the production of collagen and new skin cells in the underlying layers, bringing about smoother, younger, healthier-looking skin.

The treatments can be tailored uniquely to your face and the needs you have.

Cons:

Those with darker skin tones sometimes experience pigment discoloration and will need to confer with their specialist to determine their risk potential.

There is the potential for a longer recovery time from using lasers and depending on the depth of their penetration. It will depend on your skin and on your treatment.

Specialists Tip: Really set on a face lift but want the shortest recovery time possible? Try the QuickLift.

It’s hard to beat a classic, and as far as non-surgical procedures go, Botox is the cult favorite.

The procedure has been shown on numerous television shows. There have even been people featured who regularly have Botox parties where the guests all receive injections while drinking and chatting. Makes for great TV but probably should not carry over into real life.

Botox is a common word and it is a common procedure. Injections of highly diluted botulinum toxin have become one of the most sought-after aesthetic procedures performed in the country, for both men and women.

If done correctly, there is no social shame in getting the work done. Done incorrectly, however, is a whole other story.

The importance of picking a qualified doctor is immense. Look for doctors who provide accurate and detailed information about procedures and who have performed quality work in the past.

Pros:

Botox is a temporary treatment. You may get your first shot and decide that you do not want to continue treatment in the future. Your skin is not altered in any way and will return to its original shape over time.

Botox produces quick results. Whether you see results in a couple of hours or days, you will see results if the drug is administered correctly. Some results are more impressive than others but the drug has been shown to work in nearly all cases.

Besides providing effective treatment for wrinkles, Botox has been shown to reduce or remove the appearance of lines caused by certain facial expressions.

The procedure to administer Botox is short, typically lasting only 5-10 minutes.

There are very few health risks when using Botox. Although pregnant women should avoid this drug, the small chance of Botox spreading and the readily available treatment if it does makes it a very safe procedure.

Cons:

Depending on your reason for using Botox, its primary advantage can become a disadvantage. Botox is a temporary solution. You will have to get regular injections for to keep the wrinkles away.

Botox can prevent some facial expressions (everyone knows this by now). Botox paralyzes your facial muscles. In some cases this can cause the appearance of a constantly surprised or frowning look (this is when Botox goes wrong). Although typically not as obvious as in people who have had multiple cosmetic treatments in addition to Botox, you should consider how you will look after the injections.

Botox absolutely requires a professional. Although sometimes popular, Botox parties are dangerous and sometimes ineffective. You need to have the drug administered properly and in a medical setting in case of an emergency (like an allergic reaction).

There are many options for non-surgical procedures beyond these 3, but the ones detailed here are worth consideration because of their growing popularity.

Choosing a non-surgical procedure can mean less recovery time and less speculation about work done from colleagues, friends, or family.

Wanting to improve your appearance is a personal choice — the whole world isn’t entitled to know your secret to achieve it.
Is there a non-surgical procedure you prefer? Would you like to share why? Comment below!